Please help me identify this rare hollow quarter. I got it as change from a gas station and all of my online research leads me to believe that it may possibly be a spy quarter (KGB, Soviet) It is a 1971 Canadian quarter, the detail of the coin is unbelievable, which leads me to believe that it is not a fake, or counterfeit coin. However when weighed it is exactly 2.4/2.5 grams which is exactly half of the weight of a Canadian minted quarter. There is deterioration around the edge, where it appears to be opened at one time and the coin does not separate like typical known spy coins. there is a green substance inside that appears to be oxidization, (but i don't believe that it is oxidization... I don't exactly want to start scraping it out just in case it turns out to be some kind of suicide capsul) Can anyone explain this coin? Greatly Appreciated
Yep, these KGB 'suicide quarters' were minted in St. Petersburg in 1971 and 1972, from seized Canadian planchets and dies stolen from Ottawa by an undercover operative. The green substance you see is arsenic trioxide. I would estimate value at $21,000 to $26,000, in the right auction. You should contact a major auction house.
You must have an interesting browser history. I suspect that treashunt is correct that it has been corroded. BTW, most of the hollowed-out spy coins in my collection are actually magician's coins but your coin appears to have been disolved from having spent time in a corrosive environment. It is simply a coincidence that 1971 marked the 10 year birthday of the USA's currently seated President. (or is it?)
I am under the impression that this coin is a pure nickel composition rather than a clad one like the US. Thus the idea that corrosion of an inner metal only doesn't seem possible. I think it is a magician coin (a coin that was hollowed out for some reason). The green coloration inside is common for nickel compounds. Most are water soluble and could be removed from the surfaces. Welcome to the forum, unfortunately you have met a few comedians
Yes, the 1971 was supposed to be made of 99.9% pure Nickel. Here is the breakdown by date: 2000–present 4.40 g, 94.0%steel (unspecified alloy), 3.8% coper, 2.2% nickel plating 1968–1999 5.05 g, 99.9% nickel 1967-1968 5.83 g, 50% silver, 50% copper
I really have nothing to add to this thread other than saying that future "research" is just a waste of time. Its a damaged coin and has more value at the local convenience store than any amount of research would ever reveal.
Perhaps someone was playing with their Nickel Sulfamate plating bath & made an electrotype (with gooey center that melted away). However it happened, it is obviously not a mint error.
Looking at the pictures it seems like a magicians coin to me. I marked with an arrow where I see a seam.
U.S. warns about Canadian spy coins!! LOL I guess this is funny, this was an actual warning put out before. It can be googled. I just didn't want to post it in the thread in case of espionage or virus. Guess you can find anything if you Google it The article states that contrators from the US had been found with Canadian coins hollowed out with a transmitter as there was no definite detail of the denomination it was thought to be a $2 coin. Go figure! Crack that puppy open I would go with the others said though.